“And their charge shall be the Arc and the table and candlestick and the altars and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister and the hanging and all the service thereof.”

Numbers 3:31

The St. Augustine Liturgical Ministries support the spiritual life of the church through their direct service to and during the celebration of the Mass. Their roles are as follows:

Adult Altar Servers support the celebration of the Mass by proving altar support to the Priest celebrant in the absence of a Deacon. When a Deacon is not present, the Adult Server works with the youth Altar Servers to assist the priest in executing the rituals of the Mass. When a Deacon is present, the Adult Server supports the Deacon and Altar Servers in supporting the celebrant during the Mass.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion assist the priest in the sharing of the Blessed Sacrament at Communion.

The Lector proclaims sacred scriptures in the form of the first or second reading during the Liturgy of the Word portion of the celebration of Mass.

The Altar Guild is responsible for the care and maintenance of our sacred worship spaces. The Guild is responsible for the selection of the correct liturgical colors for all altar and sanctuary dressing. In addition, the Altar Guild decorates the church for all seasons and individual feast and solemnity celebrations. The Altar Guild works closely with the Sacristan of the parish.

When & where we meet:

Lectors and EMHC do not have regular meetings, outside of Mass. Both are required to attend a training workshop at least once every 12 months. Lectors and EMHC are scheduled to serve different numbers of times depending on the needs of the parish. Most EMHC serve at least two or three Sundays per month. Lectors who attend 4:30 p.m. Mass generally read once or twice a month. Lectors who attend 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Masses generally read once per month. Lectors who attend 12:30 p.m. Mass generally read once every eight weeks.

Adult Servers, Lectors, EMHC and Altar Guild members support the celebration of more than 225 Masses at St. Augustine each year!

How to join us:

In order to join the Adult Server, Lector or EMHC Ministry, parishioners must attend mandatory training at St. Augustine. Training sessions are held once every three months and are listed in the bulletin and announced at Mass.

EMHC at St. Augustine serve for periods of one year following each training session attended.

EMHC are required to attend training at least once per 12 month period to remain active in the ministry.

There is no limit to the total number of years one can remain active in the ministry as long as the parishioner continues to attend annual training sessions and meet all other requirements.

Other ways to support us:

Parishioners can support our Liturgical Ministries by donating flowers, Chalices, Candles, Christmas trees, or other liturgical ritual or decorative items to the church.